Control assembly



F. D. DICKAS CONTROL ASSEMBLY 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18. 1957 F. D.DlCKAS CONTROL ASSEMBLY Dec. 8, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18,1957 @M2/Wi Dec- 8 1959 F. D. DlcKAs 2,915,910

CONTROL ASSEMBLY Filed. Feb. 18, 1957 8 Sheetsheet 3 F. D. DlCKASCONTROL ASSEMBLY Dec. 8, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 18, 1957 WWR./. mw y mi@ M IK m F. i B

M a W I wf Dec. 8, 1959 F. D. DlcKAs 2,915,910

CONTROL ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 1B, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 F. D. DICKASCONTROL ASSEMBLY Dec. 8, 1959 Filed Feb. 18, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 R. w.A.; H m n Ew m 2 www \\N\ w K Sw 1r. 5w H QMM. $N\ EL um. @Q o NmN MNNM@ H wk. N QN Sw F @m www www. www www 4 4 Sm Qwk NNN E sa NNW hm. w mmOmm w SMN NNN Nmw NS a o sawwm" w @mm :um EN d. www Q Q Sw SN www u l mn Nm. o MNM. QN l j NPN *MN QWN ovm .2m *um EN MNQNQ SN mN 1N. NNN N lMQW. N wxx www Nmmw.. @m N` www@ m. MN 3Q N NSN A.. wQNbu Nw N QM. NN oNm xw QN w 4 um ww mw m@ QM mmm EN NNN NN R. Nw Nm. WN N w QN Jn *v 8Sheets-Sheet '7 F. D. DICKAS CONTROL ASSEMBLY Dec. 8, 1959 Filed Feb.18, 195':r

De@ 8, 1959 F. D. DICKAS l 2,915,910

CONTROL ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 18. 1957 a sheets-sheet a 2,915,910 a,Ffatented Dec. 8,. 1959 2,915,910 y CONTROL ASSEMBLY Frederick D.Dickas, Sidney, Ohio, assignmto The .Sidney Machine Tool Company, acorporation of Ohio y i Application February 18, 19157, Serial No. 640,6734 y 11 Claims. (Cl. 74-359) i This invention relates to a controlassembly. The invention relates more particularly to a control assemblyFigure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 7-7 of Figure6.

Figure 8 is a front view of a selector dial of the con-v trol assemblyof this invention.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the crawlmechanism of the control assembly of this invention,

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 10-10 ofFigure 9.

Figure l1 is a diagrammatical View of a gear and clutch mechanismoperable by a control assembly of this invention. Figure 11 shows theclutch members powhich uses fluid pressure as a source of energy. The

invention relates more particularly to a control assembly for theclutching of gear members for changing gear ratios ina gear assembly.The invention relates still more particularly to a control assembly forthe head stock of a lathe. However, the invention is not so limited dueto the fact that the invention may be applied to numerous types ofdevices and mechanisms.

Problems have long existed in the art of gear assemblies in which gearratios are changed by means of toothed clutch members which axially moveinto and out of engagement with gear members. It has been found that itis very difficult to readily mesh the axially movable toothed clutchmembers with gear members without the clashing of gear teeth andpossible damage `to the gear` teeth. This problem has particularlyexisted in theart ofgear assemblies associated with the head stock of alathe.

It is an object of this invention to provide a control assembly for agear mechanism which control assembly automatically and quietly changesgear ratios.

It is another object of this invention to provide a control assembly forthe changing of gear ratios which control assembly is operated by meansof any suitable nid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a head stock controlassembly by which the gear ratios thereof may be easily and readilychanged.

Another object of Ithis invention is to provide a selectory valvemechanism which is capable of controlling lluidv flow to and from aplurality of elements.

Another object of this invention is to provide means by which uid from agiven source is used during some periods to actuate fluid motors and bywhich the same fluid is used during other periods to lubricate movableelements of a` gear assembly.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, thecombination thereof, the method of manu? facture, and the mode ofoperation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a gear assembly the ratio and operationof which may be easily, readily, and automatically governed by a controlassembly of this invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 2 2 of Figure1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the dialmechanism of the control assembly of this invention.

sitioned to obtain given gear ratios.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatical View similar to Figure 11. Figure 12 showsthe clutch members positioned to obtain gear ratios difierent from thegear ratios obtained by the members as shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a diagrammatical View similar to Figures 11 and 12. Figure13 shows the clutch members positioned to obtain gear ratios differentfrom the ratios as shown in Figures 11 and ,12.

IFigures 14 is a diagrammatical view showing a lluid operable controlassembly of this invention adapted for operation with a lathe head stockassembly.

Figure 1 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional -view showing controlmeans for operation of one of the valves of the control assembly of thisinvention.

Figure 16 is a plan View showing a master control valveof the controlassembly of this invention.

Figure 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of the master control valveof the control assembly of this invention.

Figure 18 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 18--18 ofFigure 16.

Figure 19 is a sectional view taken substantially onf line 19-19 ofFigure 16.

Figure 20 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 20-20 ofFigure 16.

Figure 21 is a sectional Aview taken substantially on line 21.-.-21 ofFigure 16.

Figure 22 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 22-22 ofFigure 16.

Figure 23 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 23-23 ofFigure 16.

Figure. 24 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 24..-,24 ofFigure 16. i

Figure 25 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 25-25 ofFigure 16.

Figure 26 is a top plan view -showing apreferredr modi.`

cation of a fluiddistribution system of the control as.- sembly of thisinvention.

Figure 27 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 27.-.-27- ofFigure 26.

Figure 28 is an enlarged view of a portion of the elea ments shown inFigure 14.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a control assembly of thisinvention is particularly adapted for operation with a head stockassembly as shown in Figure 1.

A housing or support structure 30 has a -front portion 32 and a rearportion 34. Rotatably supported adjacent the rear portion 34 of thehousing 30 and extending there-v from is a drive shaft 36. The driveshaft 36 rotatably carries a main drive lpulley y38, by means ofbearings 3Q, as clearly shown in Figure 9. The main drive pulleyv 38 hasa plurality of belts 40 rotatably engageable there, with in aconventional' manner, as shown in Figures 1 andA 9, for rotationthereof.

Attached to the main drive pulley 38 in axial align-v ment therewith andaxiallyy movable with respect to the` main drive pulley 38 is a clutchplate 41 which is attached" to the main drive pulley 38 by means of aplurality-of pins 42, v'l'he clutch-plate 41 is axially movable upon thepins 42 and Ais rotatable wtih the main drive pulley 38. The clutchplate41` is also rotatable with respect to the drive shaft 36.

Attachedto rthe d ri re shaft 36 and in axial-alignment with the clutchplate 41' is a rria'gnet-izable'A drive clutch `member 44.Y AThe clutchmember`44 is yslightly axially movable upon the drive shaft '36, The-drive clutch member 44 has an electrically jenergizable' clutch portion46'jadjacent the clutch plate 41j andan electrically' energizable'brakeportion 48 adjacent'a brake plate 5 0 which is non-rotatably attached toanauxiliary wall 52 of the housing 30. t Electrical energy istransmittedto either the portion 46 or Ythe portion 48 of the drive clutch member44 by meansof ybrushes-'54, in slidahle engagement with the portions 46and 48. The brushes54 vare .supported by a conduit member 56 which alsocarries suitable electrical leads which connect to [the brushes 54. i f-v- The drive shaft 36 extends within the housing 30 and is supported bybearing members58 and 60. Inaxial alignment with the driveshaft`36-within the housing 30 is a. connector shaft-62 which is supportedby'bearing members -'64 and 166.' l j f i A connector clutch 63, whichis'shown herein as being electrically oper ble, joins theV connectorshaft 62 to thedn've shaft 336.y electric slip ring housing 65 issupportedr adjacent the electric clutch 63. Electrical energy istransmitted to'the electric clutch 63'by means of. electric conductormembers y67 which enter the electric slip ring housing `65,.'as shown inFigure 9.

`At the end ofthe connector shaft 62, opposite` the connector clutch 63,iis a worm gear y68 which-is in meshed relation withy a worm 70.` VTheworm 70'is attached to atshaft 72 which'extends normal to the connectorshaft 62 and which carries aspur gear Y74 which' is in meshedrelaton'with a spur gear 76.` The spur gear 76 is attached to a crawlshaft 78 which `is rotatablysupported exterior 'of th'ehousing 30`bybearing members 80 and 82. The crawl shaft 78 is substantially'parallelto the drive shaft -36 and the connector shaft 62. The gear members 68,70, 74, and 76 and the shaft 72 are-disposed within a' cover member 84`attached to the housing 30.

As shown in Figures 9 and 14, adjacent the main drive pulley 38 andattached tothe crawl shaft 78 is'anauxiliary drive pulley 86. Theauxiliary drive pulley'86 is operably Aconnected to the main drivepulley 38" by means of abelt90. .5

It s'to be understood that within the purviewfof this invention thecrawl shaft 78 maybe driven by separate motor means or the like ratherthan by the main drive shaft 36, as shown. 1'

-As shown in Figures 1 and 9, supported by the `drive shaft 36 withinthe housing 3 0 and adjacent the bearing 58 is a gear member 92 whichisrotatable with respect to the V.drive shaft 36. VAlso rotatablysupported upon the drive shaft 36 and adjacent the bearing 60 is a gearmember 94 whichs joined toa gear-member 96 by means of a sleeve 98.'Ihus the gears 94 and 96 are secured one to they other and are normallyrotatable with respect to the drive shaft 36. l Y' f Non-rotatablycarried by the drive shaft 36 and disposed intermediate the gears V92and 96 isY a` `selector clutch-100.V .The selector clutch 100 is splinedtothe drive shaft 36, as shown in 'Figure 1, and is axially movable uponthe drive shaftf36. Integral with the clutch 100and-adjacent. the gear96are radialteeth 102 which are meshable-With internal teeth of an'annularportion of the gear `96 as shown-in FigureA 1. The portion of theselector clutch-100 oppositeV the teeth 102 'has an annular recess 103provided withfinternal .teeth adapted to meshwith auxiliaryk teeth 1104of thegear 92.

The selector clutch 1,00 is-also provided with an annularperipheral-groove 106, Mas V`'shown Yin Figure" 9, 'within whichashifter member '108'is 'slidably disposed, as shown in Figure 1.YMovement of the Shifter member: 1113AA causes axial movement of theselector clutch for con- 110. The jack shaft is'rot'atably supportedbyfb'eaings 112, 114, and 116. Rotatably supported upon the jack shaft110 and in meshed relation with the gear-92 of the drive shaft 36 is agear 118. The gear 118 is integrally connectedl by a sleeve to a gear122, which is rotatable upon the jack shaft 110. Integral with the gear122 and laterally extending therefrom at a lesser diameter are auxiliaryteeth 124. Also rotatably carried upon the jack shaft 110'fadjacentthebearing 114 is a gear 126 havinginternal teeth as shown in gear' 96.

A selector clutch ,128 is non-rotatably attached to the, jack shaft 110-between.thegears v122 and, 126 and is` axially movable upon the jackshaft 110. The selector clutch 128 issimilarlto'the Aselector" clutchmember 100 and has means, for` meshedA engagement with` the internalteethof the gear 126 or jwith theauxiliary teeth 124 of thegear 122jforrotation thereof with Vthe jack shaft 110. A shifter member 129'slidably`engages the selector clutch 128 for axial movement thereof. Y

On the opposite side of the bearing ,114 and rotatably attached to thejack shaft 110 is a gear 130 whichis engageable by an axially movableselector clutch 13 2.A The selector clutch 132 is non-rotatably attachedto thev jack movement thereof. YA vgear 138 is axially spaced from thegear 134 and is attached thereto by means ofa sleeve'v 140. The'gear 138is also rotatable upon the jack shaft 110. Thus, the selector clutchl 132 is movablein one direction to connect thelgear yto the jack shaft 110for rotation therewith. The 'selector clutch 132 is movable inY theopposite direction to connect the gears` 134' and 138 tothe jack -shaft"110 for rotation therewith.

"Also rotatably supported wi hin the housing 30 is an intermediate shaft142, as shown in Figurel, which is carried bybearing members 144, 146,and 148. Rotatably supported upon the intermediate shaft 142 adjacentthe bearing 1 44 is a gear 150 whichl is in meshed` relation with thegear-- 130 of the jack shaft Y110. Also rotatably attached to 'theintermediate shaft 142 and connected to the gear byr means'o'f a` sleeve152 is a gear 154.' The gearf 154 i's'in the gear 134 ofthe jack` shaft110.

Adjacenty `the` bearing 146 androtatably carried by meshed relation withthe intermediate shaft142v`is' a'gear 156. intermediate 60 the gear 156and .the gear 1 54 is a selector 'clutch 158 which non-rotatably:andaxially movable upon the intermediate shaft 142..v The clutch 158hasa plurality of teeth 160 Vadapted to mesh with internal teeth of thegear.

156. The selector clutch 158 also has internal annula'rly arranged-teeth similar to the teeth shown in theselector clutch 100 in Figure l.The se teethare adapted to'mesh Onthe other side ofth with teeth162vintegral with the gear'154. Thus, the selectorclutch 158 is vaxiallymovableto connectfeither the gear 156 or the gear 154nto theintermediate shaft 142 for rotation therewith. i

A pivotal shifter" member 163 slidably engages the ,selector clutch 158for axial movement-thereof.

e bearing memberg146 and rigidly'v attached tothe intermediate 'shaft142a1'e spaced-` 75 apart gears 154 and 166.

Also rotatably carried by .the` housing and mounted in bearings 168,170, land 172'is a spindle 174. Rotatably mounted upon the spindle 17 4adjacent the bearing 170 is a gear 176. The gear 176 is in meshedrelation with the gear 164 of the intermediate shaft 142. Also rotatablyattached .to the spindle 174 and adjacent the bearing 172 is'a gear 178which is in meshed relation with `the gear 166 of the intermediate shaft142.

Between the gear 176 and the gear 178 is a non-rotatable and axiallylmovable selector clutch 180. At one end of lthe selector clutch 180 area plurality of teeth 182 which are adapted to mesh with internal teethwithin the gear 176. At the other end of the clutch 180 are a pluralityof teeth 184 which are adapted to mesh with internal teeth of the gear178. Thus, the selector clutch 180 is axially movable to connect etherthe gear 176 or the gear 178 to the spindle 174 for rotation therewith.The selector clutch 180 is slidably engaged by a'shifter member 186which is adapted -to axially move the selector clutch 180.

Thus, it is to be understood that by means o f the gear members abovedescribed, the spindle 174 is driven by the drive shaft 36. It is also.to be understood lthat by means of ythe selector clutch members abovedescribed, various gear ratios may be obtained so that the spindle 174may be driven at any one of various rotational speeds with the samerotational speed of the drive shaft 36.

Rigidly attached to the spindle 174 adjacent the bearing 168 isa gear188 Which -is in -meshed relation with an idler gear 190 carried by thehousing 30. The idler gear 190 is in meshed relation with `a gear 192carried by a shaft 194. The shaft 194 has a gearA 196 attached thereto.The gear 196 is in meshed relation with a gear (not shown) and isadapted for operation of a conventional feed rod mechanism of a lathe.

A control assembly of this invention is shown diagrammatically in Figure14 and includes means for operating the shifter members above describedfor obtaining various gear ratios between the drive shaft 36 `and thespindle 174. Preferably, each of the shifter members is pivotallysupported and is disposed within the housing 30. As shown in Figures 3and 4, the shifter member 108 comprises an arm 197 pivotally supportedby a pin 198 carried by a yoke 199. The lower end of the arm 197 hasfingers 201 which slide within the peripheral groove 106 of the selectorclutch 100. l

Mounted within the housing 30 and at one side of the arm 197 of theshifter member' 108 is a fluid motor 2.00", as shown in Figures 4 and14. On the opposite side of the arm 197 is a fluid motor 202. Each ofthe lluid motors 200 and 202 has an actuator rod 204 engageable with thearm 197 for pivotal movement thereof. The actuator rod 204 of the fluidmotor 200 when actuated forces Ithe upper portion of the arm 197 towardthe uid motor 202 and causes movement of the selector clutch 100 intomeshed engagement with the gear 96. Likewise iluid pressure within 4thefluid motor 202 forces the upper portion of the arm 197 toward the fluidmotor 200, thus forcing the selector clutch 100 into engagement with thegear 92. Thus, the tluid motors 200 and 202 move the selector clutch 100by means of the shifter member Likewise, the shifter member 129 lispivotally moved by fluid motor 208 and 210, as shown in Figure 14. Thefluid motors 208 and 210 are provided with actuator rod 212 engageablewith the shifterl member 129. Thus, the fluid motors 208 and 210 serveto axially move the clutch 128.

Likewise, fluid motors 214 and 216 having actuator rods 218 serve topivotally move the shifter member 136 for axial movement of the selectorclutch 132.

In like manner, o tor rods 224 serve to move the shifter member axialmovement of the selector lclutch 158. f

In a like manner, lluid motors 226 and 228 having fluid motors 220 and222'having actua- 163 for" yactuator rods 2.30 serve to pivotally movethe shifter member 186 for Vmovement of the selector clutch 1.80 mountedupon the spindle 174. i Each of the iluid4 motors 200, ,202. 203s .21.0,1.2.1.4.', 216, 220,222, 226, and 228 has a springurged detent pinl2,31y movable into a notch 233 of its respective actuator rod to retainthe actuator rod in extended position, as shown in Figure 14.

The shifter member 186 is operable by n iegansv of uid motors ,234 and236 as well as by means of uuid motors 226 and 228. Each of the fluidmotors 234 and 236 has Ian actuator rod 232 engageable with the shiftermember 18,6. The fluid motors 234 and 236 are neutralizing motors andserve lto cause the shifter member 186 -to v'move the selector clutch180 `to its neutral position so that the selector clutch engages neitherthe gear 176 northe gear 178. In such position of the selector clutch180, the spindle 17 4 may be freely rotated without rotation of theother shafts of the assembly.

A s yshown in Figure 14, fluid for operation of the iluid motors abovedescribed is pumped from -a uid .tank 240, The .240 may contain oil orany other suitable iluid. Fluid is pumped `from the tank 240 by a pump7.42 through a conduit 244. The lluid may then pass .through a filter24,6 in'a line 250i lA relief valve 248 is shown through which fluidabove a given volume in the line 258 returns to lthe tank 240 through aconduit 252. The line 250 connects to a control valve 254 which isprovided with an axially movable shaft 256. Within the control valve 254is a piston 258, a piston 260, and a piston 262 which are rigidlyattached .to the shaft 256 in spacedapart relation. The control valve254 has outlet conduits 264 connecting to lthe conduit 252 for return offluid to the iiuid tank 240.,

The control valve 2.54 also has a conduit .266 extending therefrom.' The conduit 266 connects to an auxiliary selector valve 337 which ispreferably `disposed adjacent the yfront portion 32 f the housing 30, asshown in Figures 1 and 14. A conduit 270 extending from' the controlvalve 254 leads to 'a timer delay valve 272. The timerdelay valve 272controls flow of iluid from the conduit 270 to a conduit 274. Theconduit 274 connects to a conduit 276`which leads to a main selectorvalve or master valve 278.` The conduit 2 74 also connects to a high-lowvalve 282.

The main selector valve 278 comprises a housing 284 within which is arotatable closure member or4 drum 286 having a stem 287 extending fromthe housing 28,4. The rotatable closure member 286 is carried by acylindrical block member 288 which is rigidly and non-rotatablysupported within the housing 284. Thercylindrical block member 288 has aplurality of longitudinally extending passages 2 9()` therein. Thesepassages 290` permit fluid to flow from the conduit 276 into thecylindrical block 288. The cylindrical block 288 also has radialpassages 29,1V joining the longitudinal passages 290 and lead.- ing fromthe block 288 to the drum 286. The cylindrical block member 288 also haspassages 292 therein which join to a Yconduit 29,4 which is attached tothe housing 284 of the main selector valve 278 and lea-ds therefrom.

The rotatable closure member or vdrum 286 has a plurality of radiallyextending fluid ports 296 therethrough which may be aligned with one ormore of the passages 291 and 292 of the cylindrical block 288 when therotatable closure member 286 is rotated to various positions. Therotatable closure member 286 has a series of parallel annular peripheralgrooves 298 extending about the fluid ports 296. Thus, iluid which-iow's through any of the uid ports 296 may also flow in the annulargrooves 298 at the periphery of the rotatable closure member 286.

As shown in Figure 16 the housing 284 has apertures 300, 302, 304, 306,308, 310, 312, and 314 extending therethrough. Fluid flowing in anyoneof the annular grooves 2,98 may also ow through an aperture 300, or

` ment therewith.

A conduit 316 connects the aperture 300 to the fluid motor 202. Aconduit 318 connects the aperture 302 to the iluid motor 200. A conduit320 connects the aperture 304 to the fluid motor 210. A conduit322.connects the aperture 306 to the fluid motor 208. Acon'duit 324connectsl the aperture 308 to the uid motor 216.

motor 214. A conduit 328 connects the aperture 3-12 to the fluid motor228. A conduit 33 0',connects the aperture 314" to the uid motor 226.Thirs, fluid may How between the conduit 276 and anyone ofthe uid motorsset forth above. Fluid ports 296 which are open for ilow of fluid orclosed against ow of fluid are controlled The conduit 294 also connectsto a conduit 334 of the high-low valve Y282. The conduit 294 alsoconnects to a conduit 1336 of an auxiliary selector valve 337. Theconduit 294 also connects to the conduit 250 leading to the uid tank240. The conduit 294 yalso connects to a conduit 338 which leads to thetimer delay valve 272.

` The auxiliary selector Ivalve 337 has a shaft 340 rotatably carriedthereby. Within the auxiliary selector valve 337 and rigidly attached tothe shaft '340 in spacedapart relation are pistons 341, 342, and 343.The shaft 340 is also axially movable within the valve; 337. The shaft340 preferably extends through the front portion 32 of the housing 30.VVAt the exterior end of theshaft 340 is a knob member 344 for rotation ofthe shaft 340, Also attached to the shaft 340 immediately exterior! ofthe front-portion 32 of thehousing 30 is aidial 346.

At the other end of the shaft 340 and-exterior of the auxiliary selector'valve 337 is attached a gear Wheel 348, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.The gear 348 is in meshed relation with Ka gear Iwheel 350 rotatablysup- Dorted'by a shaft 351 carried by the high-low valve 282. In meshedrelation with the gear 350 is a gear 3 52 ,which is attached to thestern 287 of the rotatable closure member 286 for rotation thereof.

` A conduit 326 connects the aperture 310 to the uid The gear wheel 350carries a cam 354 extending axially A therefrom. The cam 354 isengageable withan. axially movable shaft 356 extending longitudinallythrough the high-low valve 282. Within the high-low valve 282 andiirmlyattached to the shaft.356`is a piston 358. Also.

attached to the shaft 356 in spaced-apart relation are a f piston 360and a piston 361...

To obtain electrical energy for the control assembly, power supply lines364 are provided, Ias shown in Figure 14, and are adapted to connect toany suitable source of electrical energy. from acontrol unit 366. 'Ihecontrol unit 366 includes any suitable conventional electrical elementsto perform the functions set forth herein. f

As shown in Figure 14, an electrical conduit member 368 extends from thecontrol unit 366 to the portion 48 the electric clutch 44. An electricalconduit member 370 extends from the control unit 366 to the portion 46of jthe electric clutch 44 for energization thereof. The

The power supply lines 364 extend conductor 67 extending from the slipring housing 65 of has an arm 390 engageablewith the shaft 256 of thecontrol valve 254. f

. -pperffan A s stated above, thc'drive4 pulley 38, shown in Figures 1,9, and. 14, maybe rotatably operated by any suitable means. Ordinarily,during the time that the gear assemblyis in use, the drive pulley 38 isbeing constantly rotated by .the.driving means. The drive pulley 38,being rotatably mounted upon the drive shaft 36, does not drive any ofthe other members of the assembly until other elements thereof areactuated.

Any desired spindle speed may be selected bymeans of rotative movementof the d ial 346, shown in Figures 5, 6, 8, and 14. The dial 346 hasinscribed thereupon numerals indicating -the various spindle speedsobtainable, as shown in Figure 8. If, for example, it is desired tooperate thespindleat aspeed of approximately 13 r.p.m. the knob or thehandle 344 is rotated until the "13 on the dial 346 is aligned with anysuitable indicator. Thisv rotative'movement of the dial' 346 with theshaft 340 causes rotative movement of the gears 348. Rotation of thegear 348 causes rotation of the gear 350 and 352 as discussedabove.Thus, the closure member 286 within the main selector valve 278is,ro.tatively moved. The shaft 340 and the gears 348, 350, and 352 areretained in any adjusted rotative position by means of va spring 391adjacent the dial 346 which resiliently urges balls 393 into notches394, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

The operator of `the assembly then pvotally moves the operating lever388 upwardly to the clutch position thereof, as shown in dotted lines inFigure 14. In the the clutch position ofthe operating lever 38'8theclutch switch 382, is actuated causing operation offrelays (not shown)within the control unit 366 to energize the electric connector clutch63'. The connector clutch 63 thus operatively joins the Vconnector shaft62 to the drive shaft 36. Due to the fact that the main drive pulvley 38is cons-tantly rotating, the auxiliary drive` pulley 86. attached to thecrawl shaft 78 is constantly rotating. Thus, the c rawl shaft 78,through the gear members' 76, 70, and 68, causesthe connector shaft 62to be constantly rotating. Of course, due to the fact there is`ahighratio of speed reduction obtained by means of the gears 76,' 74, 70,and 68, the connector shaft 62 is constantly rotated at a low rate ofspeed. Therefore, when the connector clutch member 63 joins theconnector shaft' 62 to the main drive shaft 36, the main drive shaft 36is rotated at a low rate of speed. Y When the clutch switch 382 isactuated by movement of thellever 388 v'to its clutch position, controldevicesv within.A the control unit '366 are automatically actuated tostart the timer delay valve 272 to begin a timing operation. The timerdelay valve 272 controlsvalve mechanisms therewithin for controllingflow of uid from the conduit member 270 to the conduit member 274.

Due to the Vfact that the pump 242 is constantlyV operating duringrotation of the main drive pulley 38, uid

is constantly being pumped from theflnid tank 240,

through the iilter 246, vand through the conduit 250 to the controlvalve 254. Excess fluid is permitted to flow through the relief valve248 and return to the fluid tank 2'40through the conduit 252;

Due to the fact that the operating lever 388 is in the clutch position,as shown in dotted lines in Figure 14, the pistons 260 and 262 withinthe control valve v254 are positioned as shown in dotted lines in Figure14.

Therefore, uid being pumped n-to the conduit 250 ows into the controlvalve 254 and flows through a chamber within the valve 254 formedbetween the piston 260 and the pistonl 262. The fluid thence owsoutwardly from the control valve 254 into the conduit 270 and into thetimer delay valve 272., '1"hevtimerqdelayv valve 272 has y valvemechanisms therewithin which cause all of the liuid reaching the timerdelay valve 272 through the conduit 270 to flow into the conduit 274.Thus, fluid flows into sages 291 of the cylindrical block 288.Therefore, as

lluid is pumped into the cylindrical block 288 through the conduit 276fluid flows ythrough some of the passages 290 and 291 Within thecylindrical block 288 and the fluid thence ows through the ports .,296of the closure member 286 which are aligned with passages 29.1.of thecylindrical block 288.

In order that the spindle speed of 13 r.p.m. may be obtained, therotatable closure member 286 is rotated by the shaft l340 duringselection of the desired speed to a position in which the fluid ports296 permit fluid to flow outwardly from the main selector valve 278through the conduits to cause actuation of the proper fluid motors formovement of the selector clutches to obtain the desired gear ratios.Thus, the rotatable closure member 286 permits fluid to flow outwardlyfrom the main selector valve 278 through the conduit 316 and into thefluid motor 202. Thus, the shifter member -108 is engaged by theactuator rod 204 `of the lluid motor 202 so that the selector clutch 100is moved into engagement with the gear 92 of the main drive shaft 36.Due to the fact that the main drive shaft 36 is being rotated veryslowly by means of the connector shaft 62, the teeth of the selectorclutch 100 and the teeth of the gear 92 are meshed quickly and easily byaxial movement of the selector clutch 100. Thus, the selector clutch 100is moved into engagement with the gear wheel 92, as shown in Figure 1l.

Simultaneously with ilow of fluid through the conduit 316 for actuationof the fluid motor 202, uid ows through the conduit 322 to the fluidmotor 208 for engagement of the actuator rod 212 of the fluid motor 208with the shifter member v129. Thus, the selector clutch 128 is movedinto engagement with the gear wheel 126 as shown in Figure 9.

Simultaneously with the ow of fluid through the conduits 316, and 322,fluid flows through the conduit 324 for energization of the fluid motor216. Thus, the shifter member =136 is engaged, moving the selectorclutch 132 into engagement'with the gear member 130, as shown in Figurell. Also, fluid simultaneously flows through the conduit 330 forenergization `of the uid motor 226 so that the shifter member 186 causesmovement of the selector clutch '180' into engagement with the gearmember 178.

When the desired spindle speed was selected by rotative movement of thedial 346, rotative movement of the gear 350 resulted. Thus, the cammember 354 which is firmly attached to the gear 350 adjusted the axialposition of the shaft -356 of the high-low valve 282. Thus, the pistonmembers 358, 360, and 361 are moved to the position shown in Figure 14.Thus, the fluid flowing through the conduit 274 enters the high-lowvalve 282, between the pistons 358 and 360 and thence flows through aconduit 370 to the fluid motor 220 for movement of the shifter member-163 so that the selector clutch member l158 is moved into engagementwith the gear member 156. Thus, the gear member -15`6 is caused torotatably move with rotation of the shaft 142. For purposes ofillustration, the number of teeth on each of thc gear members may be asshown by the numerals adjacent thereto as shown in Figures 11, l2, andA13. The rotational speed of the main drive shaft 36, for purposes ofillustration, is specilied herein as 820 r.p.m. Therefore, therotational speed of the spindle .174 with the selector clutches adjustedas shown in Figure ill as 12.9 r.p.m. which, as a practical matter, isshown on the selector dial 346 as being 13 r.p.m. i

As stated above, uid is permitted to flow for actuation of the fluidmotors for movement of the selector clutches during a short timeinterval governed by the control unit 266 and by the timer delay valve272. During this period in which the selector clutches are actuated bythe uid motors the crawl shaft 78 is driving the main drive shaft 36through the connector shaft 62 and through the connector clutch 63.After actuation of the control unit 366 and the timer delay valve 272 bymovement of the control lever 388 to the clutch position, as shown indotted lines in Figure 14, only a short period of time, preferably inthe order of 3 to 10 seconds, elapses for the actuation of the selectorclutches for establishing any selected gear ration. 'i

After this short interval of time during which the desired gear ratiosare established, the timer delay valve 272 closes the fluid conduit 274so that lluid pressure is relieved from the main selector valve 278 andfrom the fluid motors which have been actuated. The timer delay valve272, thus, at the end of the clutch selector interval, diverts all ofthe fluid pumped to the timer delay valve 272 to a lubrication systemv389 of the assembly, as shown schematically in Figure 14. Thelubrication system 389 lubricates the gears, clutches, shafts, and othermovable elements of the assembly.

When fluid pressure within the lluid actuator motors is released bymeans of voperation of the timer delay valve 272, the actuator rods ofthe fluid motors are retained in actuated positions by means of thespring urged detent members 230 within the notches 233 of the actuatorrods, as shown in Figure 14.

Thus, at the end of the gear selection interval the control unit 366 andthe timer delay valve 27 2 automatically cause deactuation of theconnector clutch 63 and energization of the portion 46 of the clutchmember 44. Thus, the clutch member 44 and the clutch plate 41 moveaxially one toward the other into firm engagement. Therefore, the driveshaft 36 is driven by means of the main drive pulley 38.

Thus, as discussed above, the dial 346 may be set for any desiredspindle speed, such as 13 r.p.m. However, no actuation of the elementsin response to the setting of the dial 346 occurs until the mainoperating lever 388 is moved to its clutch position as shown in Figure14. Movement of the main operating lever 388 to the clutch position,thus, as discussed above, automatically causes a timing operation duringwhich the main drive shaft 36 is driven at a crawl speed and duringwhich the proper uid motors are actuated to cause movement of theselector clutches for establishing the proper speed ratios between themain drive shaft 36 and the spindle 174. Then the rotation of the maindrive shaft 36 automatically changes from crawl speed to normal speedafter the vclutching interval. When the drive shaft 36 rotates at itsnormal rate the spindle 174 rotates at the speed selected upon the dial346 prior to actuation of the sequence.

When it is desired `to operate the Aspindle 174 at another speed ofrotation the selector dial 346 is rotated to indicate the desired speed.Such a selection by rotation of the dial 346 may be made at any time,and may be made even when the gear assembly is operating at normalspeed. However, the selector clutches are not actuated to obtain the newdesired speed ratios until the control unit 366 is deactuated andreactuated'by movement of the operating lever 388 from its clutchposition and yreturned to' its clutch position. Usually the operatinglever 388 is moved directly from its clutch position to its brakeposition torstop rotation of the drive shaft 36 before the operating1eyer388 is returned to its clutch position.

t When the operating lever 388 -is moved .to its brale position, asAVshown in Fi operation of the drive shaft 36 upon the selector dial 346,

p purposes of illustration guret14," the 'control 366 3 energizes theportion v48V of the clutch member `44. Thus,

the clutch member 44 moves. axially upon the shaft 36 into engagementwith the stationary brake plate 50. En- 1 gagement of the clutch member44 with the stationary brake plate 50 causes the drive sh-aft 36 tostop. The

operating lever 388 may then be moved to its clutch shown in dottedlines in Figure .14, which the timing sequence, as discussedabove, forat crawl speedV duringY which the desired gear ratios are established,followed by automatic connection of the drive shaft 36 to the 'maindrive pulley 38 for operation therewith.

The spindle 174 thus operates at the speed selected as discussed above.Thus, any spindle speed such as shown on the selector dial 346 in Figure8, including any of the gear ratios shown for in Figures 1l, 12, and 13,may

position, as again starts be obtained. l

In `Figure 12 a spindle speed of 69.5 is shown obtainable by themovement ofthe selector clutches. As a `practical matter the V'dial 346is marked with a numeral ,"70 for the setting of the dial 346 to obtainthe ratio `as shown in Figure 12.

` Likewise, Figure 13 shows adjustment of the selector clutches 100,128, 132, 158, and 180 for obtaining a spindle speed of approximately1006 r.p.m. when the main drive shaft 36 is rotated at approximately 820`r.p.m. For practical purposes Vthe selector dial 346 is marked "l000for the setting of the dial 346 to obtain the gear ratios as shown inFigure 13.

If the operator desires to freely rotate the spindle 174, it is possibleto v neutral position. The operator moves the operating lever 388 to itsbrake position causing the arm 390 at the end thereof to force axialmovement of the shaft 256 to the position thereof shown in Figure 14.Thus iluid pumped by the pump 242 flows through the line 250 into thecontrol valve 254 between the pistons 258 and 260 so that the fluidflows outwardly from the control valve 254 through the Huid conduit 266.The uid thus flows from the control valve 254 through the fluid conduit266 to the auxiliary selector valve 337.

1lAfter the operator has moved the operating lever 388 to thebrakeposition thereof, he then manually grasps the knob 344 of theauxiliary selector valve 337 and pulls the knob 344 and shaft 340axially outwardly. Thus, the piston 342 within the auxiliary selector.valve 337 is moved to the position as shown in dotted lines in Figure14.

lAs shown in Figures and 14, the gear 350 is wider than the gear 348.Therefore, as the shaft 340 is moved axially, the gear 348, attachedthereto, remains in mesh with the gear 350.

Due to the fact that the shaft 340 of the auxiliary selector valve 337is moved axially outwardly, fluid flows into the auxiliary selectorvalve 337 and flows between the pistons 342 vand 343. Fluid thence`flows outwardly from `the auxiliary selector valve 337 through a conduit392 tothe iluid motors 234 and 236. Thus, the iluid'motors 234 and 236are actuated causing movement of both of the actuator rods 232 throughan equal distance. Thus, the shifter member 186 moves the` selectorclutch 180 to a neutral position so that the selector clutch 180 is outof engagement with both the gear 176 and the gear 178.` Therefore, thespindle 174 may be freely rotated without rotation of the other elementsof the assembly.y

When the shaft 340 is permitted to return to its normal position, as'shown in Figures 6 and 14, Huid pressure created in the 'conduit 392 isreleased Tas fluid ows into1V the auxiliary selector valve 337 betweenthe pistonsl `341 and 342 and returns to the uid tank. 240 throughconduits 336 and 294. A spring 395 is shown place the selector clutch180 in a b Y l2 in Figure for resilientlygmaintaning the shaft 340 inits normal axial position. v Y

Thus, it is to be understood that thecontrol assembly of this inventionprovides means for automaticallyv obtaining any given pre-selected speedratios in a gear assembly while the gear members are being slowlyrotated. Therefore, the meshing of the gear members is easily andquietly performed. The control assembly of this invention also providesmeans by which the gear members are automatically operated at a normalrate of speed after the clutch operations have been automaticallyperformed. f

Itis also to be understood that the control mechanism of this inventionmay be applied to other types of operations and to other types ofassemblies.

It is to be understood that the conduits leading to the uid motors andto other elements of the assembly may be conventional pipes or tubes.The conduits may also be formed by grooves within, adjacent surfaces ofplates which are secured one to the other to form -a two piece manifold.

For example, Figures 26 and 27 show a preferred modification of aconduit system ofa control assembly of this invention. A manifold 400comprises a pair of plates 402 and Y404 which are similar in size andshape and are adapted to be secured together by a plurality of bolts 406having nuts 408. lEach of the plates 402 and 404 has a plurality ofgrooves 410 therein. The grooves 410 of each of the plates 402 and 404are disposed so as to be in lateral alignment with the grooves of theother plate. 'Ihe plate 402 has a plurality of passages 416 therein,each of which extends from one of the grooves 410 to the upper Asurfaceofv the'plate 402 having outlet openings 417 therein. vThus, when theplates 402 and 404 are secured together, as shown in Figure 27, thegrooves 410 form conduits or passages within the manifold 400.

Thus uid may enter the manifold 400 through inlet ports 418. These inletports 418 havethreaded openings to receive suitable fittings. Fluidmay'thence be distributed through the grooves 410 to the outlets 417 atthe upper surface of the manifold 400 and to outlet ports 420 in theedgesl thereof. The outlet ports 417 and 420 also have threaded openingsas shown for connection to suitable fittings and for connection todevices such as to the uid motors 220, 222, 200, 202, etc.

Although the preferred embodiment ofthe device has been described, itwill be understood that within the purview of this invention variouschanges may be made in the form, details, proportions and arrangement ofparts, the combination `thereof and mode of operation` which generallystated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects setforth, as disclosed and delined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

b 1. In combination with a gear assembly having a plu'- Vrality ofreciprocally movable clutch members, a control apparatus comprisingk aplurality of shifter members, Aa plurality of pairsl of actuatormembers, there being a pair of actuator members adjacent yeach shiftermember for operation thereof, there being one actuator member in eachpair of actuator members on one side of the shifter member for movingthe clutch in one direction andan actuator member on the other side ofthe shifter member for moving the clutch in the opposite direction, eachactuator member having a fluid cavity therein, a reciprocally movableplunger within each cavity and extending from the actuator member intoengagement with the shifter member for movement thereof, each plungerhaving an extended actuated position,' a resiliently operable detentmember in each actuator member and engageable with the Vretaining theplunger in ex- /lurality of iiuid conduit memlbers, there being a Huidconduit member connected to each actuator member for-transmission offluid to and from the tluid cavity thereof.

2. In a control assembly a housing havinginternal wall surfaces forminga cylindrical bore therein, an elongate cylindrical block rigidlysupported within the housing concentric with the bore therein, a hollowcylindrical drum within the housing and rotatably supported by thecylindrical block, the drum being disposed between the block and theinternal wall surfaces of the housing, the cylindrical block having aplurality of fluid passages therewithin and extending substantially inan axial direction therethrough, each fluid passage extendingsubstantially the length of the block, here being radial connectorpassages connecting eachfluid passage to the peripheral surface of thecylindrical block, said fluid passages also having openings adjacent oneend of the block, the drum having a plurality of tluid ports extendingtherethrough, each of the fluid ports of the drum being alignable withat least one of the connector passages at the peripheral surface of thecylindrical block, the drum having a plurality of substantially parallelannular peripheral grooves, there being one peripheral groove inalignment with each of the fluid ports, the housing having a pluralityof fluid passages extending therethrough and opening into the borethereof, there being a passage of the housing aligned with each one ofthe grooves of the drum, the grooves thus connecting to the fluidpassages through the housing so that the drum may be rotatably moved toselectively align connector ports thereof with fluid passages of theblock so that fluid may flow through the fluid passages of the block andthrough the grooves and through the fluid passages ofthe housing.

3. In an actuator assembly for a gear mechanism having a plurality' ofgear members and a plurality of axially movable clutch membersengageable with the gear members, a plurality of shifter members, therebeing one shifter member for each clutch member, the combinationcomprising a plurality of fluid motors, there being at least two fluidmotors for each shifter member engageable therewith for movementthereof, one of the fluid motors moving the shifter member in onedirection and the other fluid motor moving the shifter member in theopposite direction, each of the fluid motors having an actuatedposition, resilient means retaining each fluid motor in actuatedposition, a selector valve, a plurality of fluid conduit membersconnected to the selector valve, there being at least one of the conduitmembers connected to each of the fluid motors, the selector valveincluding a housing member, a cylindrical block rigidly retained withinthe housing member, a drum encompassing the cylindrical block androtatably carried thereby, there being a plurality of axially extendingflow passages within the cylindrical block extending substantially thelength thereof and open adjacent one end of the block, input and outputfluid lines connecting to said open end of the ilow passages, the llowpassages within the block also being open at the peripheral surfacethereof, the drum having a plurality of fluid ports therethrough, eachof the fluid ports being alignable with the opening at the peripheralsurface of at least one of the flow passages through the block, thehousing having a plurality of flow passages therethrough connecting withthe fluid conduit members which lead to the fluid motors, and means forselective rotative movement of the drum, selective rotative movement ofthe drum thus permitting alignment of the fluid ports of the drum withselected llow passages of the cylindrical block for flow of fluid to.and fromv selected fluid motors, fluid flow to a fluid motor causingmovement of a shifter member and also forcing movement of a fluid motorfrom an actuated position. v

4. In a control assembly including a main selector valve, the mainselector valve comprising a rotatably movable closure member having aplurality of flow passages therethrough, the main selector valve havinga plurality of iluid conduits leading therefrom, the closure memberbeing rotatably 14 movable so that the flow patssages thereof connectwith the fluid conduits, a plurality of fluid motors, there being alluid motor cOnnected to each of the fluid conduits, each fluid motorhaving an actuated and a deactuated position, resilient means includedin each fluid motor for retaining the fluid motor in actuated position,a source of lluid, means for connecting the main selector valve to thesource of fluid, an 4auxiliary selector valve connected to the source oflluid, the auxiliary selector valve including a housing, a rotatableshaft extending through the housing, means attached to the shaftexternal of the housing and operably connected to the movable closuremember of the main selector valve for rotative movement o f the closuremember, a piston member attached to the shaft within the housing of theauxiliary closure member, the auxiliary closure member having aplurality of fluid ports, one of the fluid ports being connected to thesource of fluid, the other fluid ports being connected to fluid motors,the shaft being axially movable for moving the piston member adjacentthe fluid ports for controlling flow of fluid through the fluid ports,fluid flow from the source of fluid to the fluid motors being thuscontrolled by the main selector valve Iand by the auxiliary selectorvalve. v 5. In a control assembly for a gear mechanism ofthe type havingsupport structure, a plurality of shafts rotatably carried by thesupport structure, a plurality of gear members, there being a pair ofgear members rotatably carried by each shaft, a plurality of selectorclutches, there being a selector clutch axially movable upon each shaftand rotatable therewith, each selector clutch being disposed between thepair of gears upon its respective shaft and individually engageable witheach gear for interlocking the gear with the shaft upon which it ismounted, a plurality of shifter members, there being one shifter memberengageable with each selector clutch for axial movement thereof, thecombination comprising a plurality of fluid motors, there being a pairof fluid motors operably connected with each shifter member for movementthereof, fluid conduit means connecting to each fluid motor, selectorvalve means connected to the fluid conduit means, rotatable closuremeans within the selector valve, the closure means being operable toprevent fluid flow to one fluid motor in each pair thereof whilepermitting fluid flow to the other lluidmotor of each pair thereof, apair of neutral fluid motors, said neutral fluid motors having meansengageable with opposite sides of one of said selector clutches, saidselector valve means including means for providing equal fluid llow toeach of the said neutral fluid motors to retain said one of the selectorclutches in neutral position by application of equal force on each sideof said selector clutch 6. In a control mechanism for a gear assemblyhaving support structure, a plurality of parallel rotatable shaftmembers carried by the support structure, a pair of gear wheelsrotatably carried by each shaft, a plurality -of selector clutchmembers, there being a selector clutch member axially movable betweenthe gear wheels engageable therewith and rotatable with the shaftmember, one of the shaft members being a main drive shaft, a pulleywheel rotatably carried by the main drive shaft, a crawl shaft rotatablewith the pulley wheel, a connector shaft in axial alignment with thedrive shaft, a speed reduction unit joining the connector shaft to thecrawl shaft, a connector clutch joining the connector shaft to the driveshaft, a clutch plate attached to the pulley wheel and rotatabletherewith, a drive clutch member attached to the drive shaft androtatable therewith, a brake plate carried by the support structureadjacent the drive clutch member and engageable by the drive clutch, thedrive clutch member also being operable to engage the clutch plate forconnecting the drive clutch member tothe drive pulleyfor rotation of thedrive shaft with the drive pulley, a uid motor operably connected toeach of the selector clutch members for axial movement thereof, aselector t the control and timer means also being connectedto theconnector clutch for actuation thereof so that iluid is pert mitted toflow from the source thereof to theselector valve duringactuation of theconnector clutch, said control and timer means also including means fordeactuating the connector clutch and for stopping flow of viluidv to theselector valve after a given interval of time, the

t control and timer means also including means for actuation of thedrive clutch member to connect the.` drive clutch member to the clutchplate after said given interval of time, the control and timer meansalso including means :for actuation of the driveclutch member to connectthe ldrive clutch member to the brake plate for preventing l rotation ofthe drive s haft.

7. In a control assembly for a gear mechanism pro- `vided with supportstructure, a plurality of shafts rotatably carried by the supportstructure, a plurality of gear members, there being a pair .of gearmembers rotatably carried by each'shaft, a plurality of selectorclutches,

there being a selector clutch axially movable upon each shaft andlrotatable therewith, each selector clutch being vdisposed between thepair of gears uponits respective shaft and individually engageable witheach 'gear'for interlocking the gear with the shaft upon which it ismounted, a plurality of shiftermembers, there being one shifterl memberengageable with each selector clutch for` axial movement thereof, aplurality of fluid motors, there being a pair of ud motors'engageablewith each'shifter member for movement thereof, uid conduit meansconnecting to each fluid motor, the combination comprising selectorvalve means connected to the uid conduit means for providing uidpressure to onlyV one of each pair of said uid motors, a pair of neutraluid motors, said neutral fluid motors being operable to retain one ofsaid Vselector clutches in neutral position by application of l equalforce on each side of the` selector clutch, said selector valve meansincluding means for providing equal v uid pressure to each of the lastsaid n eutraluid motors,

one of said shafts being a drive shaft, brake means operably connectableto the drive shaft for preventing rotation theerof, means connectingthewbrake means tothe selector valve means Afor controlling ow of fluidto the selector valve means so thatuid can'ilow to the-neutral fluidmotors only during actuation of thebrake means.

:8.In Ya control mechanismlfor `a gear assembly having supportstructure, a plurality of parallel rotatable shaft members carried bythe support structure, a pairv of gear wheels rotatably carried by eachshaft, a plurality of v.

selector clutch members, there being a Vselector clutch memberaxially'movable upon'each shaft between the gear wheels thereof, eachselector clutch `member being rotatable `with its respective Vshaftmember andv engageable with either one of the gear members for rotationthereof with itsV respectiveshaft member, the gears of one shaft beingin meshed relation with theV gears of an f adjacent shaft, one oftheshaft members being a main drive shaft, an auxiliary wheel rotatablycarried by themain driveshaft, the combination comprising a ro-,A

tatable crawl shaft, means connecting the' crawl 'shaft to the auxiliaryAwheel so thatthe crawl shaft rotates with the auxiliary wheel, aconnector shaft operably disposed between -the crawl'sh aft and thedrive shaft, a

speed reduction unit joining the connector shaft torthe,

crawl shaft, connector clutch means, `joining 'the' connector shaft tothe drive shaft, a clutch Vplate attached to the auxiliary wheel androtatable therewith,` aV drive clutch member attached to the driveshaft'and rotatable therewith, a brake plate carried by the supportStructure t I Vcontrolling flow' of fluid from the source thereof to theselector valve, the timer means also connected to the connector clutchmeans for causing clutching operation thereof vso that the uid ispermitted to flow tov theselector valve during clutching Voperation ofthe connector t cluch means, said timer means alsoincluding means fordeclutching the connector clutch means and for stopping flow of ud tothe selector valve after a given interval of time, the timer means also'including means for causing engagement of the vdrive clutch `member.after ,said given intereval of time, control means, the control meansbeing connected to the timer means, .an 'electric clutch switch and anelectric brake switch connected with the control means, the brake'switch 'causing clutching operation of the drive clutch member so that'there' is engagement of the drive clutch' member withV the brake plate,and a pivotally movable control lever movable to a plutch position andengageable with -the clutch switch to operate the clutch switch causingthe'control means to begin operation of the timer means,` the controllever being movable to va brake Vposition engageable with the brakeswitch to actuate the brake switch, and Valve means operable by thecontrol lever for controlling ow of fluid to the selector valve.- Y

9. In a fluid control assembly, a main selector Valve, the main selectorvalve including a' housing, a support block within the housing rigidly fsupported theteby, the support block having a plurality of passagesextending therethrough, a drum rotatably carried Vby the support block,the drum having apertures therethrough, the drum being rotatable so thateachapertureV isrmovable into juxtaposed alignment with at least'one ofthe passages of the support block so Athat fluid flow from the passageis permitted through the aperturey during such alignment, the housingbeing provided with a plurality of fluid ports therethrough connectingto the apertures of the drum, a rst auxiliary selectorlvalve, the iirstauiliary selector valve including a housing, the

, housing of the rst auxiliary'fselector"valve having a plurality ofopenings therein, j an ax'ially movableand rotatable shaft Within thehousing of the "iirstfauxiliary selector valve, the shaft having aplurality'of spacedapart pistons thereon Within the housing! ofthe firstauxiliary selector valve, Vthe pistons being movable intermediate theopenings in the rst auxiliary ,selectorA valve housing by axial movementof said shaft so that uid flow through the housing between theopenngsthereof is governed by the axial position of the shaft, means connectingsaid drum of the selector valve tothe shaft ofthe first auxiliaryselector valvel for rotation therewith, a second auxiliary selectorvalve', the second auxiliary selector valve comprising a housinghaving aplurality of fluid ports therein, anraxiallyV movable shaft within thehousing, a plurality of spaced-apart pistons attached to the kshaftwithinr the housing of the second auxiliary selector valve forcontrolling ow'of vfluid between fluid ports thereof, means interposed(between the Vfirst and vsecond auxiliary selector valves and operable bythe having a plurality 'ofpassages extending in an axial di-'rectontherethrougn' each'fof the passages extending substantially theaxial length of the block, each of the passages having an open endcommunicating with a conduit of the housing, each of the passages alsohaving a portion extending to the peripheral surface of the block andopen at the surface of the block, a drum rotatably carried by thesupport block, the drum having apertures therethrough, the drum beingrotatable so that each aperture is movable into juxtaposed alignmentwith at least one of the passages of the support block so that fluid owfrom the passage is permitted through the aperture during suchalignment, the housing being provided with a plurality of fluid portstherethrough connecting to the apertures of the drum.

11. A control assembly for a gear mechanism of the type having aplurality of shafts and a plurality of gear members, a main drive shaft,a crawl shaft, selector means for selectively engaging the gear members,normal means for operation of the drive shaft at a given normal rate,connector means for operation of the drive shaft by means of the crawlshaft, the combination comprising control means connected to saidselector means and normal means and connector means, timer meansconnected to the control means, actuator means connected to the timermeans, operation of the actuator means causing the timer means tooperate the control means so that thc connector means operates with the18 selector means followed by deenergization of the connector means andthe selector means with energization of the normal means, the crawlshaft thus automatically operating the drive shaft during engagingmovement of the gear members followed by drive shaft operation at normalrate after the selected gear members are engaged.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,787,319 McDonald Dec. 30, 1930 1,964,300 Perry et al. June 26, 19342,012,081 Nenninger et al Aug. 20, 1935 2,050,520 Carter Aug. 11, 19362,210,448 Dodge Aug. 6, 1940 2,352,212 Lang et al. June 27, 19442,384,809 Bullard et al. Sept. 18, 1945 2,432,712 Bachman et a1 Dec. 16,1947 2,500,798 Bullard Mar. 14, 1950 2,555,242 Nenninger et al. May 29,1951 2,556,834 Ashton et al. June 12, 1951 2,670,633 Shoepe et al Mar.2, 1954 2,712,245 Lee July 5, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,063,020 France Dec.16, 1953

